Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Apr 1983

Vol. 341 No. 6

Written Answers . - Higher Education Grants .

1151.

Mrs. A. Doyle

asked the Minister for Education if she will state, in view of the escalating costs to parents of maintaining students at third level education institutions, due to rising fees and the rising cost of accommodation and transport etc., and in view of the difficulties students have at present in obtaining holiday employment, whether she intends to raise the eligibility level under the Higher Education Grant Acts, 1968 and 1978, for those sitting for the leaving certificate examination in 1983; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

1152.

Mrs. A. Doyle

asked the Minister for Education if she considers it equitable that boys and girls who can vote in parliamentary elections may be barred from entering higher education institutions because they are ineligible for higher education grants because of a means test which is based on out-dated levels of parents' income; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. Hussey)

: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1151 and 1152 together.

It is not possible within the financial resources available at present to improve beyond last year's level the means test conditions to be prescribed for the purpose of determining elegibility for higher education grants in respect of students sitting for the leaving certificate examination in 1983.

It is desired to point out that substantial improvements were made in the grants scheme in 1981; the means limit for fees and maintenance grant was raised to £12,000 from £6,100 and the means limit for a fees only grant was raised to £14,000. In addition, the maximum value of the grant was raised from £600 to £1,000 plus fees.

1153.

Mrs. A. Doyle

asked the Minister for Education if she intends to provide a system of loans for students who otherwise may not be in a position to avail themselves of higher level education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. Hussey)

: There are no plans for the introduction of such a scheme in the academic session 1983-84. The matter is, however, being kept under review in connection with the question of the possibility of the formulation of such a scheme in a subsequent year.